SBS World News Radio

Environment and business groups says work has just begun to ensure Australia's environment laws are more effective in practice. Parliament passed the first major overhaul in two decades this year, but stakeholders say the devil may be in the detail.

SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves speaks with Henry Jennings from Marcus Today about the day's sharemarket action including Woodside CEO Meg O'Neill leaving for BP.

Terror strikes the iconic sands of Bondi Beach, sending shockwaves through Australia and Jewish communities worldwide - how did the deadly attack unfold, and what does it mean for national security? Plus, Volodymyr Zelenskyy signals cautious optimism in high-stakes Ukraine peace talks but is a deal with Russia any closer? And Donald Trump brands fentanyl a ‘weapon of mass destruction' as tensions escalate with Venezuela.

In the wake of the Bondi Beach terrorist attack over the weekend, the Albanese government is fast-tracking a suite of legislative reforms aimed at cracking down on hate speech and tightening migration laws to avert individuals with extremist views. While the government faces pressure to introduce harsher border policies, it has rejected calls for a Royal Commission, arguing that immediate executive action and enforcement are more urgent than a lengthy public inquiry.

Australia's social cohesion has come under scrutiny in the wake of the Bondi Beach mass shooting, while multicultural communities have come together in vigils and public acts of solidarity with Jewish Australians. The tragic mass shooting, deemed a terror attack by New South Wales Police, saw 15 people killed at a Hanukkah festival on Sunday. As leaders debate tougher laws against hate speech and extremism, Muslim and Jewish voices alike have warned against collective blame, as fears grow of a potential Islamophobic backlash.

In the wake of the Bondi beach tragedy last weekend, Sydney has welcomed new mental health support systems. New South Wales Health is offering support for anyone affected - both directly and indirectly.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers has unveiled a mid-year budget update marked by fiscal restraint, highlighting a $5.4 billion improvement to the deficit alongside critical new funding for the CSIRO and community security. However, the outlook remains fraught as rising inflation threatens real wage growth and persistent spending pressures in childcare and the NDIS continue to squeeze the bottom line.

SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves speaks with Shane Oliver from AMP about the implications the government's Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook will have on inflation as Kyle Rodda from Capital.com looks through the day's sharemarket action including Westpac's change of heart on interest rates

On the 14th of December, as an antisemitic mass shooting targeted a Hanukkah festival at Bondi Beach, several heroes emerged, most notably Ahmed al-Ahmed, a Muslim man of Syrian origin who courageously disarmed one of the attackers. But he was not the only Middle-Eastern Muslim to risk his life to put a stop to the attack. There was another Middle-Eastern Muslim man who risked his life to disarm the other shooter. However, his lawyer says due to his Middle-Eastern appearance and all-black attire, he was thought to be one of the shooters. As a result, he was shot at by police, then set upon by a small crowd of people.

High-level diplomatic talks aimed at ending the war in Ukraine are gaining momentum, with United States and European leaders hoping to secure a path to peace before Christmas. US President Donald Trump says negotiations on a draft peace plan have made significant progress. While Ukraine has welcomed the proposal, key issues remain unresolved, including the future of Russian-occupied territory and security guarantees to prevent renewed aggression.

The deadly Bondi mass shooting has intensified the national debate over Australia's gun laws. However, some prominent figures, including former Prime Minister John Howard, caution against letting the debate be diverted from the growing threat of antisemitism. So what are the opposing arguments from gun control advocates and pro-gun lobbies on whether current laws are adequate? The tragedy is fuelling a controversial political discussion around immigration and Australian values.

SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves speaks with Jonathan Shead from State Street Investment Management about the day's market action including where interest rates are going and the opportunities for investors in 2026.

.A mass shooting at one of Australia's most famous beaches, targeting revellers at a Jewish holiday celebration, has generated shock and grief around the world. As condolences pour in, the Jewish diaspora and supporters have held vigils for those impacted by the tragedy -and a message of defiance against hate.

The Bondi Beach shooting has seen state, territory and federal politicians agree that Australia's already stringent gun laws need to be reviewed and strengthened. The National Firearms Agreement was introduced after the 1996 Port Arthur massacre to standardise rules about who could own a gun - and why. But experts on firearms legislation say some holes in the rules have become apparent. In New South Wales, applications to have a firearms licence are handled by the Gun Registry - which came under intense scrutiny after a tragic murder suicide in 2018, when an estranged father, John Edwards, fatally shot his teenage children. He had a history of domestic violence which hadn't been flagged to the Gun Registry. Not all the changes recommended after the Edwards inquest have been implemented. Deborah Groarke spoke to Maya Arguello who's a law and criminology expert at the Swinburne University of Technology.

.Australia has long been held up across the world as the gold standard of gun control. Firearms laws are the responsibility of the states and territories, and the National Firearms Agreement was introduced after the 1996 Port Arthur massacre to standardise rules about who could own a gun - and why. Now, National Cabinet has decided that even tighter rules around gun ownership should be rapidly rolled out after a licensed firearm user and his son killed at least 15 people in a terrorist attack at Bondi.

Leaders of Australia's Jewish community have condemned the mass shooting on Bondi Beach. The shooting took place as people gathered for Chanukah by the Sea, a community event to celebrate the first day of Hanukkah. 15 people are dead and one of the two gunmen was also killed. A statement from the Jewish Council of Australia says the organisation is horrified and shaken. Jillian Segal is Australia's Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism. She's been speaking to SBS Chief Political Correspondent Anna Henderson

Police have declared a mass shooting at Bondi Beach on Sunday a terrorist attack, after two gunmen opened fire on hundreds of people gathered for a Hanukkah celebration. At least 16 people have been killed, including a child, in Australia's deadliest mass shooting since the 1996 Port Arthur massacre. The event has prompted global condemnation, heightened security at Jewish sites, created fear among communities and renewed calls from leaders to confront hate and stand in solidarity with the Jewish community.

This week, human rights experts from United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention were blocked from inspecting detention facilities in the Northern Territory and West Australia. As they wrapped up a 12-day tour of facilities across the country, preliminary findings raise substantial concerns around the over-representation of First Nations people, punitive policies that target children, rising rates of remand and mandatory detention, among other issues. The federal immigration detention regime was also found to contravene fundamental international human rights norms - including the Commonwealth's recent deal with Nauru to deport stateless people. Australia's Human Rights Commissioner Lorraine Finlay says the findings show Australia is not complying with key international human rights commitments it has made to the world. She's speaking here with Tee Mitchell.

A company in the UK has unveiled a new prototype electric air taxi, promising to bring urban air transport to the masses. It's the next step in a globally burgeoning industry, for which the Australian aviation regulator is already planning. But there are many challenges lie ahead.

In recent weeks, bushfires have claimed homes and property on the New South Wales mid-north coast, in Geraldton in Western Australia and in Tasmania's east. Experts are warning this is only the beginning of the fire season and anyone travelling for the holidays needs to be aware and prepared when they're away from home.

A wheelchair can be life changing for people with disability. And that's motivated a group of volunteers in Australia to turn old bicycles into wheelchairs, for charities worldwide.

ASX soars to a four week high as investors eye Santa rally. SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves speaks with Marcus Bogdan from Blackmore Capital about what's driving the sharemarket and whether to expect the so-called Santa rally.

State and territory health ministers have unanimously rejected the Commonwealth's latest hospital funding offer, stating it fails to meet the commitment for increased federal contributions needed to handle Australia's growing and ageing patient population. This funding standoff has caused a critical bottleneck, leaving over 3,000 federally-funded aged care patients stranded in public hospitals and increasing pressure on state health services.

The United States has defended the seizure of a Venezuelan oil tanker as a major US naval build-up in the region continues. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has described the seizure as illegal with the US also imposing further sanctions on relatives of Maduro and other targetted naval vessels.

Thailand's escalating border conflict with Cambodia has entered a deadly fourth day, with artillery exchanges killing at least 20 people, injuring hundreds, and driving massive evacuations on both sides of the border. Amid the violence, Thailand's prime minister has dissolved parliament and called early elections after a political rift with the opposition People's Party.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says his government has spoken with the United States about possible security guarantees for Ukraine. He says those security guarantees would be impossible without support from the US, Europe and all members of the coalition of the willing, including Australia and New Zealand.

In the final episode for 2025, Elfy and Rania take a trip down memory lane looking at what happened in the federal election, some of the silliest moments of the year and a certain portrait of an ex Prime Minister Elfy hasn't gotten to talk about yet.

Australia has recorded the highest number of Indigenous deaths in custody in four decades. Data from the Australian Institute of Criminology finds 33 of the 113 people who died in police or prison custody in the last financial year were First Nations.

SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves speaks with Darren Thompson from Equity Trustees and Diana Mousina from AMP about the impact lower US interest rates and today's local labour force data is having on the sharemarket and what it means for local rates.

Ceasefires are collapsing from Southeast Asia to eastern DRC, with civilians once again bearing the brunt of diplomatic failure. Plus, one year after the fall of the brutal Assad regime, are Syrians any better off? And FIFA honours President Trump – but is the prize an own goal?

President Donald Trump says US forces have seized the largest oil tanker ever intercepted off Venezuela's coast, escalating Washington's maritime campaign against vessels it claims support Nicolás Maduro or drug smuggling operations. Venezuela's government has accused the US of theft and international piracy. It has previously said it believes the United States is trying to depose President Maduro.

United States Australian and British defence ministers have met at the Pentagon for the first AUKUS ministerial meeting with Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth. Hegseth welcomed Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles and UK Minister of Defence John Healey.

Twenty years ago, thousands descended on the Sydney beachside suburb of Cronulla for what became a violent rally against Middle Eastern immigration. Today, Cronulla locals and some Australians of Middle Eastern descent say attitudes are changing. But others are concerned about new, more organised anti-immigration movements.

SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves speaks with Andrew McAuley from UBS Global Wealth Management Australia about the changing interest rate outlook and what it means for 2026; Cameron Gleeson from Betashares explains the recent pick up in ETF activity; and a look at the day on the sharemarket with Hebe Chen from Vantage Australia.

The Australian government has implemented the world's first social media ban for all under-16s, citing the protection of developing adolescent brains. But the move faces immediate backlash from teenagers who are sharing evasion tactics.

United States President Donald Trump has escalated his criticism of Europe in a controversial new interview, claiming the continent is “decaying” due to weak immigration policies. He also hit out at Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who he sees as an obstacle to peace between Ukraine and Russia, and questioned Ukraine's credentials as a democracy.

Fighting between Cambodia and Thailand has escalated along their contested border on Tuesday, with the Southeast Asian neighbours both saying they will not back down in defending their sovereignty. With each side is blaming the other for starting Monday's renewed clashes, and it's unclear how or if a fragile ceasefire brokered by US President Donald Trump in July can be salvaged.

SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Goncalves speaks with Paul Bloxham from HSBC and Stuart Roberts from Stocks Down Under about why the RBA decision to leave interest rates on hold at its December board meeting and the increasing chance the next move in rates will be up, not down.

Top security officials from the United States and Australia have met in Washington, confirming that the AUKUS security pact is moving "full steam ahead," despite the Pentagon's five-month review of the deal remaining secret. Both nations emphasised increased defence spending, critical minerals cooperation, and greater burden-sharing from allies to confront growing Indo-Pacific tensions.

European leaders have met the Ukrainian President in London, in a show of support as United States-led ceasefire negotiations gather pace. The allies sought to strengthen Ukraine's position, amid concerns the emerging US proposal could pressure the nation into accepting terms favourable to Russia. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says soon he will present a revised 20-point peace proposal to the United States, though major disagreements around territory remain unresolved.

Syria's President is calling for Syrians to help the country become an advanced nation, as it celebrates one year since the fall of of former President Bashar al-Assad. Thousands of Syrians have taken to the streets to celebrate, waving the country's new green flag , which for years was used by opposition forces during an uprising that became a civil war.

SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves speaks with Luke McMillan from Ophir Asset Management about the day's sharemarket action including how the market is positioning itself ahead of key interest rates decisions out of the US and Australia.

Communications Minister Annika Wells is under intense public scrutiny over her travel expenses, from last-minute flights to the UN to attend an event on social media reform. It has sparked revelations over other expenses she has made, including thousands on a family entitlement to visit a ski resort and lavish meals out in Paris during the Olympics. While the Minister insists all costs adhered to official rules, critics argue her expenditure is exorbitant and fails the "pub test," prompting calls for a full independent review.

There can be a lot on our plates at this time of year - and our meals can come with a side of sickness. The Australian Food Safety Information Council has released its top tips for how to enjoy the season safely - aiming to reduce more than four and a half million* [[4.67M]] cases of food poisoning each year.

Summer heat and high winds have fuelled a dangerous weekend of bush and grass fires across New South Wales, leaving more than 20 homes destroyed and claiming the life of a firefighter. The man died after being struck by a falling tree late Sunday while battling a blaze near Bulahdelah, with Premier Chris Minns saying the loss is devastating. Conditions eased by Monday, but authorities say nine fires remain uncontained across the state.

Israel is close to moving into the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cautioning that the next steps will be “more difficult” as tensions continue over Hamas's disarmament, Gaza's future governance, and the stalled two-state solution. Speaking in Jerusalem with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Mr Netanyahu received strong backing for Israel's security while also confronting growing international scrutiny over alleged human rights breaches during the Gaza war.

The Pacific Australia Labour Mobility scheme, often known as the PALM scheme, allows eligible Australian businesses to hire workers from the Pacific for either short-term or long-term roles. But the scheme has been under scrutiny following media reports of worker exploitation and harsh working conditions, and advocates and unions have been urging the government to launch a reform.

That's the sound of snapping shrimp - music to oyster ears. Dr Dominic McAfee has been playing this sound underwater to help regenerate natural oyster reefs. He's been doing this work for years, but recently, there's been an upswell in interest, as the South Australian government tries to increase resilience against a harmful algal bloom. The ongoing environmental crisis has killed hundreds of species and resulted in tens, possibly hundreds, of thousands of marine deaths. Dr McAfee says South Australia used to be home to huge oyster reefs, which would have curbed the intensity of the algal bloom because they naturally filter the water. He's speaking here with SBS's Tee Mitchell, who started by asking about the role and extent of oyster reefs before colonisation.

The draw has been made for the 2026 FIFA World Cup - and Australia are up against the co-hosts.

An Australian cancer research centre has been awarded a 2.5 million dollar grant to further their research into one of the country 's deadliest brain cancers. Researchers at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute in Melbourne hope to fast-track diagnosis and treatment options.

As the festive shopping rush begins, vendors are bracing for a surge in shoplifting. Australia-wide, theft has hit a 21-year high. Experts say it's part of a broader trend.